Chinese Mahonia (Mahonia confusa)

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Sunlight Partial to full sun; tolerates light shade, avoid intense midday summer sun to prevent leaf scorch

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Watering Water thoroughly when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot

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Temperature Hardy to -10°C; prefers cool to temperate conditions, avoid prolonged temperatures above 30°C

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Leaf: Compound, leathery, spiny holly-like leaflets; glossy dark green above, pale green beneath
Flower: Clusters of fragrant, bright yellow, bell-shaped blooms
Stem: Woody, upright stems with thin, brown, slightly peeling bark

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Watering

Keep soil evenly moist; reduce watering during prolonged rainy periods

Fertilization

Apply diluted balanced organic feed once monthly. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms

Eggshell powder：Sprinkle a thin layer of crushed, dried eggshell powder around the base; gently mix into the topsoil to avoid root disturbance

Pruning

Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches in early spring before new growth emerges
Trim to maintain desired shape immediately after flowering to avoid cutting next year's bloom buds
Thin dense interior growth to improve air circulation and reduce pest risk

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Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA-verified non-toxic; safe for cats with no reported poisoning risks

Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no known adverse effects from ingestion or contact

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Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental garden shrub; winter blooms provide nectar for early pollinators